hooted; hooting; hoots
1
: to shout or laugh usually derisively
2
: to make the natural throat noise of an owl or a similar cry
3
: to make a loud clamorous mechanical sound
1
: a sound of hooting
especially
: the cry of an owl
2
: a minimum amount or degree : the least bit
don't give a hoot
3
: something or someone amusing
the play is a real hoot
variants
or hoots
chiefly Scotland
—used to express impatience, dissatisfaction, or objection
Examples of hoot in a Sentence
Verb
We could hear an owl hooting in the woods.
I hooted at the car in front of me.
The crowd booed and hooted when it was announced that the show was canceled.
The crowd hooted its disapproval.
The speaker was hooted off the platform by a small group of protesters.
Noun
The announcement was met with hoots of derision.
the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort to the lawyer's arrogant remark
Recent Examples on the Web
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
That’s probably what all that hooting is about.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Why else show nubby fleece trousers with a coordinating striped jacket, which nobody needs but would be a hoot to wear?
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hoot
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Verb
An out of shape owl emerged, followed by jealous girlfriend owl and the ADHD-riddled owl, who is far too distracted to hoot.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
That’s probably what all that hooting is about.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Blackhawks dressing room was a rowdy scene after the game, their hoots and hollers reverberating throughout the bowels of the United Center.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Why else show nubby fleece trousers with a coordinating striped jacket, which nobody needs but would be a hoot to wear?
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hoot
Cite this Entry
“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoot. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hoot
1 of 2 verb1
: to utter a loud shout usually of scorn
2
: to make the characteristic call of an owl or a similar sound
3
: to drive out by hooting
hooter
noun
hoot
2 of 2 noun1
: a sound of hooting
especially
: the call of an owl
2
: a very small amount
don't give a hoot
3
: an amusing person or thing
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